Methods for simultaneous control of lignin content and composition, and cellulose content in plants

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method of concurrently introducing multiple genes into plants and trees is provided. The method includes simultaneous transformation of plants with multiple genes from the phenylpropanoid pathways including 4CL, CAld5H, AldOMT, SAD and CAD genes and combinations thereof to produce various lines of transgenic plants displaying altered agronomic traits. The agronomic traits of the plants are regulated by the orientation of the specific genes and the selected gene combinations, which are incorporated into the plant genome.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/230,086, filed on Sep. 5, 2000, and is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with United States government support awarded by the Energy Biosciences Program, United States Department of Energy, and the United States Department of Agriculture research grant numbers USDA 99-35103-7986, USDA 01-03749, and DOE DE-FG02-01ER15179. The United States government has certain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method of introducing two or more genes, involved in lignin biosynthesis, into plant cells. The method of the invention employs either an Agrobacterium-mediated or other appropriate plant gene delivery system by which multiple genes together with a single selectable marker gene are simultaneously transferred and inserted into the genome of plants with high frequencies.

The ability to introduce foreign genes into plants is a prerequisite for engineering agronomic traits in plants. Many systems have been developed for introducing a foreign gene into plant cells, which involve mainly either Agrobacterium- or microprojectile bombardment-mediated transformation (Christou, 1996). The principle of all these systems involves the insertion of a target gene into the host plant genome together with a selectable marker gene encoding either antibiotic or herbicide resistance to aid in the selection of transgenic cells from non-transgenic cells. These systems generally are only effective for introducing a single target gene into the host plant.

To alter agronomic traits, which generally are polygenic in nature, multiple genes involved in complex biosynthetic pathways must be introduced and expressed in plant cells. In this context, the traditional single-gene transfer systems are essentially useless for the following two reasons: 1) it is impractical to introduce multiple genes by repetitive insertion of single genes into transgenic plants due to the time and effort required for recovery of the transgenic tissues; in particular, a repetitive single-gene approach is highly impractical for plant species such as trees which, depending upon the species, require two to three years for transgenic tissue selection and regeneration into a tree; and 2) the presence of a selectable marker gene in a transgenic line precludes the use of the same marker gene in subsequent transformations of plant material from that line. Moreover, the number of available marker genes is limited, and many plant species are recalcitrant to regeneration unless appropriate antibiotic or herbicide selection is used.

Chen et al. (1998) recently reported the genetic transformation of rice with multiple genes by cobombardment of several gene constructs into embryogenic suspension tissues. However, particle bombardment-mediated gene transfer into embryogenic tissues is highly species-dependent, and regeneration of whole plants from embryogenic cells cannot be achieved for a variety of plant species (Horsch et al., 1985).

In contrast, Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer and whole plant regeneration through organogenesis is a simple process and a less species-dependent system than bombardment-mediated transformation and regeneration via embryogenesis. However, the introduction of more than one gene in a single plasmid vector via Agrobacterium may be technically troublesome and limited by the number or the size of the target genes (Chen et al., 1998). For example, Tricoli et al. (1995) reported the transfer of three target genes to squash via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. A binary plasmid vector containing the three target genes was incorporated into an Agrobacterium strain, which was subsequently used to infect the leaf tissue of squash. As only one line was recovered from numerous infected squash tissues that contained all of the target genes, the use of a single binary vector with a number of genes appears to be a highly inefficient method to produce transgenic plants with multiple gene transfers. Therefore, it was commonly accepted that transfer of multiple genes via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation was impractical (Ebinuma et al., 1997), until success of multiple gene transfer via Agrobacterium was first reported in co-pending, commonly owned PCT application, PCT/US/0027704, filed Oct. 6, 2000, entitled “Method of Introducing a Plurality of Genes into Plants” by Chiang et al, incorporated herein by reference. However, homologous tissue-specific preparation of transgenic trees to specifically alter lignin content, increase S/G (syringyl:guaiacyl) lignin ratio and increase cellulose quantity, as compared to an untransformed plant was unsuccessful.

Yet, the altering of lignin content and composition in plants has been a goal of genetically engineered traits in plants. Lignin, a complex phenolic polymer, is a major part of the supportive structure of most woody plants including angiosperm and gymnosperm trees, which, in turn, are the principal sources of fiber for making paper and cellulosic products. Lignin generally constitutes about 25% of the dry weight of the wood, making it the second most abundant organic compound on earth after cellulose. Lignin provides rigidity to wood for which it is well suited due, in part, to its resistance to biochemical degradation.

Despite its importance to plant growth and structure, lignin is nonetheless problematic to post-harvest, cellulose-based wood/crop processing for fiber, chemical, and energy production because it must be removed or degraded from cellulose at great expense. Certain structural constituents of lignin, such as the guaiacyl (G) moiety, promote monomer cross-linkages that increase lignin resistance to degradation (Sarkanen, 1971; Chang and Sarkanen, 1973; Chiang and Funaoka, 1990). In angiosperms, lignin is composed of a mixture of guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) monolignols, and can be degraded at considerably less energy and chemical cost than gymnosperm lignin, which consists almost entirely of guaiacyl moieties (Freudenberg, 1965). It has been estimated that, if syringyl lignin could be genetically incorporated into gymnosperm guaiacyl lignin or into angiosperms to increase the syringyl lignin content, the annual saving in processing of such genetically engineered plants as opposed to their wild types would be in the range of $6 to $10 billion in the U.S. alone. Consequently, there has been long-standing incentive to understand the biosynthesis of syringyl monolignol to genetically engineer plants to contain more syringyl lignin, thus, facilitating wood/crop processing (Trotter, 1990; Bugos et al., 1991; Boudet et al., 1995; Hu et al., 1999).

Depending on the use for the plant, genetic engineering of certain traits has been attempted. For some plants, as indicated above, there has been a long-standing incentive to genetically modify lignin and cellulose to decrease lignin and increase cellulose contents. For example, it has been demonstrated that the digestibility of forage crops by ruminants is inversely proportional to lignin content in plants (Buxton and Roussel, 1988, Crop. Sci., 28, 553-558; Jung and Vogel, 1986, J. Anim., Sci., 62, 1703-1712). Therefore, decreased lignin and high cellulose plants are desirable in forage crops to increase their digestibility by ruminants, thereby providing the animal with more nutrients per unit of forage.

In other plants, genetically increasing the S/G ratio of the lignin has been sought. As noted above, lignin in angiosperms is composed of guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) monomeric units, whereas gymnosperm lignin consists entirely of G units. The structural characteristics of G units in gymnosperm lignin promote monomer cross-linkages that increase lignin resistance to chemical extraction during wood pulp production. However, the S units present in angiosperm lignin prevent such chemical resistant cross-links. Therefore, without exception, chemical extraction of G lignin in pulping of gymnosperms is more difficult and requires more chemicals, longer reaction times and higher energy levels than the extraction of G-S lignin during pulping of angiosperms (Sarkanen, K. V., 1971, in Lignins: Occurrence, Formation, Structure and Reaction, Sarkanen, K. V. & Ludwig, C. H., eds., Wiley-Interscience, New York; Chang, H. M. and Sarkanen, K. V., 1973, TAPPI, 56:132-136). As a rule, the reaction rate of extracting lignin during wood pulping is directly proportional to the quantity of the S unit in lignin (Chang, H. M. and Sarkanen, K. V., 1973, TAPPI, 56:132-136). Hence, altering lignin into more reactive G-S type in gymnosperms and into high S/G ratio in angiosperms would represent a pivotal opportunity to enhance current pulping and bleaching efficiency and to provide better, more economical, and more environmentally sound utilization of wood.

Recent results have indicated that high S/G ratio may also add further mechanical advantages to plants, balancing the likely loss of sturdiness of plants with severe lignin reduction (Li et al., 2001, Plant Cell, 13:1567-1585). Moreover, a high S/G lignin ratio would also improve the digestibility of forage crops by ruminants (Buxton and Roussel, 1988, Crop. Sci., 28, 553-558; Jung and Vogel, 1986, J. Anim., Sci., 62, 1703-1712).

In some applications, both a high lignin content and high S/G ratio have been sought (i.e., combining these two traits in plants). For example, it has been demonstrated that when lignin is extracted out from wood during chemical pulping, lignin in the pulping liquor is normally used as a fuel source to provide energy to the pulping and bleaching operations. This lignin-associated energy source, which is not necessary for pulp mills using purchased fuel for energy, is essential to some pulp mills which depend upon internal sources, such as extracted lignin, to be self-sufficient in energy. Therefore, for this purpose, it may be desirable to increase lignin content in pulpwood species, and at the same time to increase the S/G ratio in these species to facilitate the extraction of more lignin to be used as fuel.

Additionally, for grain production and other non-related purposes, increased lignin content and/or S/G lignin ratio are desirable to provide extra sturdiness in plants to prevent the loss of socially and economically important food crops due to dislodging and due to damage to the aerial parts of the plant.

The plant monolignol biosynthetic pathway is set forth in FIG. 1 and will be explained in more detail hereinbelow. The key lignin control sites in the monolignol biosynthetic pathway are mediated by genes encoding the enzymes 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL) (Lee et al., 1997), coniferyl aldehyde 5-hydroxylase (CAld5H) (Osakabe et al., 1999) and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde O-methyltransferase (AldOMT) (Li et al., 2000), respectively, for the formation of sinapaldehyde (see, FIG. 1). Further, coniferyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) (MacKay et al., 1997) catalyzes the reaction including the substrate coniferaldehyde to coniferyl alcohol. It has recently been discovered that sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD) enzymatically converts sinapaldehyde into sinapyl alcohol, the syringyl monolignol, for the biosynthesis of syringyl lignin in plants (see, FIG. 1). See, concurrently filed, commonly owned U.S. non-provisional application entitled “Genetic Engineering of Syringyl-Enriched Lignin in Plants,” incorporated herein by reference. It should be noted that the gene encoding the enzyme sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD) represents the last gene that is indispensable for genetic engineering of syringyl lignin in plants.

A summary of the conserved regions contained within the coding sequence of each of the above listed proteins is described below. Because SAD is a recently discovered enzyme in Aspen, sequence alignments with other representative species were unable to be performed.

The protein sequence alignments of plant AldOMTs are shown in FIG. 9. All AldOMTs have three conserved sequence motifs (I, II, and III) which are the binding sites of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM), the co-substrate or methyl donor for the OMT reaction (Ibrahim, 1997, Trends Plant Sci., 2:249-250; Li et al., 1997, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 94:5461-5466; Joshi and Chiang, 1998, Plant Mol. Biol., 37:663-674). These signature sequence motifs and the high sequence homology of these proteins to PtAldOMT attest to their function as an AldOMT specific for converting 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde into sinapaldehyde (Li et al., 2000, J. Biol. Chem., 275:6537-6545), the content of which is incorporated by reference, herein, in its entirety. This AldOMT, like CAld5H, also operates at the aldehyde level of the plant monolignol biosynthetic pathway.

The protein sequence alignments of plant CADs are shown in FIG. 10. It was recently proven that CADs are actually guaiacyl monolignol pathway specific (Li et al., 2001, Plant Cell, 13:1567-1585). Based on high sequence homology, the alignment program picked up CADs from angiosperms as well as gymnosperms (radiata pine, loblolly pine and spruce) which have only G-lignin. All CADs have the Zn1 binding motif and structural Zn2 consensus region, as well as a NADP binding site (Jornvall et al., 1987, Eur. J. Biochem., 167:195-201; MacKay et al., 1995, Mol. Gen. Genet., 247:537-545). All these sequence characteristics and high sequence homology to PtCAD attest to these CAD function as a G-monolignol specific CAD (Li et al., 2001, Plant Cell, 13:1567-1585).

The protein sequence alignments of plant Cald5Hs are shown in FIG. 11. Although, there are different types of 5-hydroxylases, i.e., F5H, CAld5H is the sole enzyme catalyzing specifically the conversion of coniferaldehyde into 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde. All full-length CAld5Hs have the proline-rich region located from amino acid 40 to 45 which is believed to be involved in the process of correct folding of microsomal P450s and is also important in heme incorporation into P450s (Yamazaki et al. 1993, J. Biochem. 114:652-657). Also they all have the heme-binding domain (PFGXGXXXCXG) that is conserved in all P450 proteins (Nelson et al. 1996, Pharmacogenetics, 6:1-41). These signature sequences and the high sequence homology of these proteins to PtCAld5H their function as a 5-hydroxylase that is specific for converting coniferaldehyde into 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde (Osakabe et al., 1999, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 96:8955-8960).

The protein sequence alignment of plant 4CLs are shown in FIG. 12. In general, 4CL catalyzes the activation of the hydroxycinnamic acids to their corresponding hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA esters. 4CL has the highest activity with p-coumaric acid. 4CL cDNA sequences have been reported from a number of representative angiosperms and gymnosperms, revealing two highly conserved regions, a putative AMP-binding region (SSGTTGLPKGV), and a catalytic motif (GEICIRG). The amino acid sequences of 4CL from plants contain a total of five conserved Cys residues.

Despite recognition of these key enzymes in lignin biosynthesis, there continues to be a need to develop an improved method to simultaneously control the lignin quantity, lignin compositions, and cellulose contents in plants by introducing multiple genes into plant cells.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method of introducing two or more genes involved in lignin biosynthesis present in one or more independent vectors into plant cells. The method of the invention suitably employs an Agrobacterium-mediated or another gene delivery system by which multiple genes together with a single selectable marker gene are simultaneously transferred and inserted into the genome of plants with high frequencies.

If an Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery system is used, each gene of interest is present in a binary vector that has been introduced into Agrobacterium to yield an isolated Agrobacterium strain comprising the binary vector. Moreover, more than one gene of interest may be present in each binary vector. Plant materials comprising plant cells, e.g., plant seed, plant parts or plant tissue including explant materials such as leaf discs, from a target plant species are suitably inoculated with at least two, preferably at least three, and more preferably at least four or more, of the isolated Agrobacterium strains, each containing a different gene of interest. A mixture of the strains is suitably contacted with plant cells. At least one of the binary vectors in the isolated Agrobacterium strains contains a marker gene, and any marker gene encoding a trait for selecting transformed cells from non-transformed cells may be used. Transformed plant cells are regenerated to yield a transgenic plant, the genome of which is augmented with DNA from at least two, preferably at least three, and more preferably at least four, and even more preferably at least five of the binary vectors.

The method of the invention is thus applicable to all plant species that are susceptible to the transfer of genetic information by Agrobacterium or other gene delivery system. Suitable plant species useful in the method of the invention include agriculture and forage crops, as well as monocots. In particular, plant species useful in the method of the invention include trees, e.g., angiosperms and gymnosperms, and more suitably a forest tree, but are not limited to the tree.

The method of the invention is suitably employed to enhance a desired agronomic trait by altering the expression of two or more genes. Such traits include alterations in lignin biosynthesis (e.g., reduction, augmentation and/or structural changes), cellulose biosynthesis (e.g., augmentation, reduction, and/or quality including high degree of polymerization and crystallinity), growth, wood quality (e.g., high density, low juvenile wood, high mature wood, low reaction wood, desirable fiber angle), stress resistance (e.g., cold-, heat-, and salt-tolerance, pathogen-, insect- and other disease-resistance, herbicide-resistance), sterility, high grain yield (for forage and food crops), and increased nutrient level.

Thus, the present invention advantageously provides gymnosperm and angiosperm plants with decreased lignin content, increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio and increased cellulose content in which a single trait or multiple traits are changed.

In another aspect, the invention provides gymnosperm plants with syringyl enriched lignin and/or increased lignin content and/or increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio.

Similarly, the present invention also provides angiosperm plants with increased lignin content.

Other advantages and a filler appreciation of specific attributes and variations of the invention will be gained upon an examination of the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the like in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of plant monolignol pathways for production of coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol;

FIG. 2 is the SAD polynucleotide DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) and the SAD amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2) respectively FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 3 is the CAld5H polynucleotide DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO: 3) and the CAld5H amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4) respectively FIGS. 3A and 3B;

FIG. 4 is the AldOMT polynucleotide DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO: 5) and the AldOMT amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 6) respectively FIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 5 is the 4CL polynucleotide DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO: 7) and the 4CL amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 10) respectively FIGS. 5A and 5B;

FIG. 6 is the CAD polynucleotide DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO: 8) and the CAD amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 9) respectively FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIG. 7 is a map of the DNA construct, pBKPpt_(4CL) Pt4CL1-a, positioned in a plant transformation binary vector.

FIG. 8 is a map of the DNA construct, pBKPpt_(4CL) PtCAld5H-s, positioned in a plant transformation binary vector.

FIG. 9 is the protein sequence alignment of AldOMTs for representative species of plants.

FIG. 10 is the protein sequence alignment of CADs for representative species of plants.

FIG. 11 is the protein sequence alignment of CAld5Hs for representative species of plants.

FIG. 12 is the protein sequence alignment of 4CLs for representative species of plants.

It is expressly understood that the figures of the drawing are for the purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method and DNA constructs useful for the transformation of plant tissue for the alteration of lignin monomer composition, increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio and increased cellulose content and transgenic plants resulting from such transformations. The present invention is of particular value to the paper and pulp industries because lignin containing higher syringyl monomer content is more susceptible to chemical delignification. Woody plants transformed with the DNA constructs provided herein offer a significant advantage in the delignification process over conventional paper feedstocks. Similarly, modification of the lignin composition in grasses by the insertion and expression of a heterologous SAD gene offers a unique method for increasing the digestibility of grasses and is of significant potential economic benefit to the farm and agricultural industries.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the person of skill in the art in describing the compositions and methods of the invention and how to make and use them. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments.

As used herein, “gene” refers to a nucleic acid fragment that expresses a specific protein including the regulatory sequences preceding (5′ noncoding) and following (3′ noncoding) the coding region or coding sequence (See, below). “Native” gene refers to the gene as found in nature with its own regulatory sequences.

“Endogenous gene” refers to the native gene normally found in its natural location in the genome.

“Transgene” refers to a gene that is introduced by gene transfer into the host organism.

“Coding sequence” or “Coding Region” refers to that portion of the gene that contains the information for encoding a polypeptide. The boundaries of the coding sequence are determined by a start codon at the 5′ (amino) terminus and a translation stop codon at the 3′ (carboxyl) terminus. A coding sequence can include, for example, prokaryotic sequences, cDNA from eukaryotic mRNA, genomic DNA, and even synthetic DNA sequences.

“Promoter” or “Promoter Sequence” refers to a DNA sequence, in a given gene, which sequence controls the expression of the coding sequence by providing the recognition site for RNA polymerase and other factors required for proper transcription. Most genes have regions of DNA sequence that are promoter sequences which regulate gene expression. Promoter regions are typically found in the 5′ flanking DNA sequence upstream from the coding sequence in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. A promoter sequence provides for regulation of transcription of the downstream gene sequence and typically includes from about 50 to about 2000 nucleotide base pairs. Promoter sequences also contain regulatory sequences such as enhancer sequences that can influence the level of gene expression. Some isolated promoter sequences can provide for gene expression of heterologous DNAs, that is DNA different from the natural homologous DNA. Promoter sequences are also known to be strong or weak or inducible. A strong promoter provides for a high level of gene expression, whereas a weak promoter provides for a very low level of gene expression. An inducible promoter is a promoter that provides for turning on and off of gene expression in response to an exogenously added agent or to an environmental or developmental stimulus. An isolated promoter sequence that is a strong promoter for heterologous DNAs is advantageous because it provides for a sufficient level of gene expression to allow for easy detection and selection of transformed cells, and provides for a high level of gene expression when desired. A promoter may also contain DNA sequences that are involved in the binding of protein factors which control the effectiveness of transcription initiation in response to physiological or developmental conditions.

“Regulatory sequence(s)” refers to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5′), within, and/or downstream (3′) of a coding sequence, which control the transcription and/or expression of the coding sequences in conjunction with the protein biosynthetic apparatus of the cell. Regulatory sequences include promoters, translation leader sequences, transcription termination sequences and polyadenylation sequences.

“Encoding” and “coding” refer to the process by which a gene, through the mechanisms of transcription and translation, provides the information to a cell from which a series of amino acids can be assembled into a specific amino acid sequences to produce an active enzyme. It is understood that the process of encoding a specific amino acid sequence includes DNA sequences that may involve base changes that do not cause a change in the encoded amino acid, or which involve base changes which may alter one or more amino acids, but do not affect the functional properties of the protein encoded by the DNA sequence. It is therefore understood that the invention encompasses more than the specific exemplary sequences. Modifications to the sequences, such as deletions, insertions or substitutions in the sequence which produce silent changes that do not substantially affect the functional properties of the resulting protein molecule are also contemplated. For example, alterations in the gene sequence which reflect the degeneracy of the genetic code, or which result in the production of a chemically equivalent amino acid at a given site, are contemplated. Thus, a codon for the amino acid alanine, a hydrophobic amino acid, may be substituted by a codon encoding another less hydrophobic residue, such as glycine, or a more hydrophobic residue, such as valine, leucine or isoleucine. Similarly, changes which result in substitution of one negatively charged residue for another, such as aspartic acid for glutamic acid, or one positively charged residue for another, such as lysine for arginine, can also be expected to produce a biologically equivalent product. Nucleotide changes which result in alteration of the N-terminal and C-terminal portions of the protein molecule would also not be expected to alter the activity of the protein. In some cases, it may in fact be desirable to make mutants of the sequence to study the effect of retention of biological activity of the protein. Each of these proposed modifications is well within the routine skill in the art, as is the determination of retention of biological activity in the encoded products. Moreover, the skilled artisan recognizes that sequences encompassed by this invention are also defined by their ability to hybridize, under stringent condition, with the sequences exemplified herein.

“Expression” is meant to refer to the production of a protein product encoded by a gene. “Overexpression” refers to the production of a gene product in transgenic organisms that exceed levels of production in normal or non-transformed organisms.

“Functional portion” or “functional fragment” or “functional equivalents” of an enzyme is that portion, fragment or equivalent section which contains the active site for binding one or more reactants or is capable of improving or regulating the rate of reaction. The active site may be made up of separate portions present on one or more polypeptide chains and will generally exhibit high substrate specificity.

“Enzyme encoded by a nucleotide sequence” includes enzymes encoded by a nucleotide sequence which includes partial isolated DNA sequences.

“Transformation” refers to the transfer of a foreign gene into the genome of a host organism and its genetically stable inheritance.

“% identity” refers to the percentage of the nucleotides/amino acids of one polynucleotide/polypeptide that are identical to the nucleotides/amino acids of another sequence of polynucleotide/polypeptide as identified by a program such as GAP from Genetics Computer Group Wisconsin (GCG) package (version 9.0) (Madison, Wis.). GAP uses the algorithm of Needleman and Wunsch (J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443-453, 1970) to find the alignment of two complete sequences that maximizes the number of matches and minimizes the number of gaps. When parameters required to run the above algorithm are not specified, the default values offered by the program are contemplated.

“Substantial homology” or “substantial similarity” refers to a 70% or more similarity or 70% homology wherein “% similarity” or “% homology” between two polypeptide sequences is a function of the number of similar positions shared by two sequences on the basis of the scoring matrix used divided by the number of positions compared and then multiplied by 100. This comparison is made when two sequences are aligned (by introducing gaps if needed) to determine maximum homology. The PowerBlast program, implemented by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, can be used to compute optimal, gapped alignments. GAP program from Genetics Computer Group Wisconsin package (version 9.0) (Madison, Wis.) can also be used.

“Lignin monomer composition” refers to the relative ratios of guaiacyl monomer and syringyl monomer found in lignified plant tissue.

“Plant” includes whole plants and portions of plants, including plant organs (e.g., roots, stems, leaves, etc).

“Angiosperm” refers to plants that produce seeds encased in an ovary. A specific example of an angiosperm is Liquidambar styraciflua (L.)[sweetgum].

“Gymnosperm” refers to plants that produce naked seeds, i.e., seeds that are not encased in an ovary. A specific example of a gymnosperm is Pinus taeda (L.)[loblolly pine].

As used herein, the terms “isolated and/or purified” with reference to a nucleic acid molecule or polypeptide refer to in vitro isolation of a nucleic acid or polypeptide molecule from its natural cellular environment, and from association with other components of the cell, such as nucleic acid or polypeptide, so that it can be sequenced, replicated and/or expressed.

An “isolated” strain of Agrobacterium refers to cells derived from a clone of Agrobacterium that is transformed in vitro with an isolated binary vector.

A “vector” is a recombinant nucleic acid construct, such as plasmid, phage genome, virus genome, cosmid, or artificial chromosome to which a polynucleotide in accordance with the invention may be attached. In a specific embodiment, the vector may bring about the replication of the attached segment, e.g., in the case of a cloning vector.

“Sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase” or “SAD”, coniferyl alcohol dehydrogenase or “CAD”, coniferaldeyde 5-hydroxylase or “Cald5H”, 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde O-methyltransferase or “AldOMT”, and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase or “4CL” refer to enzymes in the plant phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway. In the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, the DNA sequences encoding these enzymes were identified from quaking aspen Populus tremuloides. It is understood that each sequence can be used as a probe to clone its equivalent from any plant species by techniques (EST, PCR, RT-PCR, antibodies, etc.) well known in the art.

The Phenyl Propanoid Biosynthetic Pathway

Reference is made to FIG. 1 which shows different steps in the biosynthetic pathways from 4-coumarate (1) to guaiacyl (coniferyl alcohol (6)) and syringyl (sinapyl alcohol (9)) monolignols for the formation of guaiacyl-syringyl lignin together with the enzymes responsible for catalyzing each step. The enzymes indicated for each of the reaction steps are: 4-coumaric acid 3-hydroxylase (C3H) which converts 4-coumarate (1) to caffeate (2); 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL) converts caffeate (2) to caffeoyl CoA (3) which in turn is converted to feruloyl CoA (4) by caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT); cinnamoyl-CoA reductase (CCR) converts feruloyl CoA (4) to coniferaldehyde (5); coniferyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) converts coniferaldehyde (5) to the guaiacyl monolignol coniferyl alcohol (6); at coniferaldehyde (5), the pathway splits wherein coniferaldehyde (5) can also be converted to 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde (7) by coniferaldeyde 5-hydroxylase (Cald5H); 5-hydroxyconiferaldehyde O-methyltransferase (AldOMT) converts 5-hydroxconiferaldehyde (7) to sinapaldehyde (8) which, in turn, is converted to the syringyl monolignol, sinapyl alcohol (9) by sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase (SAD).

DNA Constructs

According to the present invention, a DNA construct is provided which is a plant DNA having a promoter sequence, a coding region and a terminator sequence. The coding region encodes a combination of enzymes essential to lignin biosynthesis, specifically, SAD, CAD, Cald5OMT, and 4CL protein sequences, substantially similar sequences, or functional fragments thereof. The coding region is suitably a minimum size of 50 bases. The gene promoter is positioned at the 5′-end of a transgene (e.g., 4CL alone or together with SAD, Cald5H, and AldOMT, and combinations thereof, or 4CL and CAD alone, or together with CAld5H, SAD, and AldOMT, and combinations thereof, as described hereinafter) for controlling the transgene expression, and a gene termination sequence that is located at the 3′-end of the transgene for signaling the end of the transcription of the transgene.

The DNA construct in accordance with the present invention can be incorporated into the genome of a plant by transformation to alter lignin biosynthesis, increase syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio and increase cellulose content. The DNA construct may include clones of CAld5H, SAD, AldOMT, CAD, and 4CL, and variants thereof such as are permitted by the degeneracy of the genetic code and the functional equivalents thereof.

The DNA constructs of the present invention may be inserted into plants to regulate production the following enzymes: CAld5H, SAD, AldOMT, CAD, and 4CL. Depending on the nature of the construct, the production of the protein may be increased or decreased, either throughout or at particular stages in the life of the plant, relative to a similar control plant that does not incorporate the construct into its genome. For example, the orientation of the DNA coding sequence, promoter, and termination sequence can serve to either suppress lignin formation or amplify lignin formation. For the down-regulation of lignin synthesis, the DNA is in the antisense orientation. For the amplification of lignin biosynthesis, the DNA is in the sense orientation, thus to provide one or more additional copies of the DNA in the plant genome. In this case, the DNA is suitably a full-length cDNA copy. It is also possible to target expression of the gene to specific cell types of the plants, such as the epidermis, the xylem, the roots, etc. Constructs in accordance with the present invention may be used to transform cells of both monocotyledons and dicotyledons plants in various ways known in the art. In many cases, such plant cells may be cultured to regenerate whole plants which subsequently reproduce to give successive generations of genetically modified plants. Examples of plants that are suitably genetically modified in accordance with the present invention, include but are not limited to, trees such a aspen, poplar, pine and eucalyptus.

Promoters and Termination Sequences

Various gene promoter sequences are well known in the art and can be used in the DNA constructs of present invention. The promoter in the constructs in accordance with the present invention suitably provides for expression of the linked DNA segment. The promoter can also be inducible so that gene expression can be turned on or off by an exogenously added agent. It may also be preferable to combine the desired DNA segment with a promoter that provides tissue specific expression or developmentally regulated gene expression in plants.

The promoter may be selected from promoters known to operate in plants, e.g., CaMV35S, GPAL2, GPAL3 and endogenous plant promoter controlling expression of the enzyme of interest. Use of a constitutive promoter such as the CaMV35S promoter (Odell et al. 1985), or CaMV 19S (Lawton et al., 1987) can be used to drive the expression of the transgenes in all tissue types in a target plant. Other promoters are nos (Ebert et al. 1987), Adh (Walker et al., 1987), sucrose synthase (Yang et al., 1990), Δ-tubulin, ubiquitin, actin (Wang et al., 1992), cab (Sullivan et al., 1989), PEPCase (Hudspeth et al., 1989) or those associate with the R gene complex (Chandler et al., 1989). On the other hand, use of a tissue specific promoter permits functions to be controlled more selectively. The use of a tissue-specific promoter has the advantage that the desired protein is only produced in the tissue in which its action is required. Suitably, tissue-specific promoters, such as those would confine the expression of the transgenes in developing xylem where lignification occurs, may be used in the inventive DNA constructs.

A DNA segment can be combined with the promoter by standard methods as described in Sambrook et al., 2nd ed. (1982). Briefly, a plasmid containing a promoter such as the CaMV 35S promoter can be constructed as described in Jefferson (1987) or obtained from Clontech Lab, Palo Alto, Calif. (e.g., pBI121 or pBI221). Typically, these plasmids are constructed to provide for multiple cloning sites having specificity for different restriction enzymes downstream from the promoter. The DNA segment can be subcloned downstream from the promoter using restriction enzymes to ensure that the DNA is inserted in proper orientation with respect to the promoter so that the DNA can be expressed.

The gene termination sequence is located 3′ to the DNA sequence to be transcribed. Various gene termination sequences known in the art may be used in the present inventive constructs. These include nopaline synthase (NOS) gene termination sequence (see, e.g., references cited in co-pending, commonly-owned PCT application, PCT/US/0027704, filed Oct. 6, 2000, entitled “Method of Introducing a Plurality of Genes into Plants,” incorporated herein by reference.)

Marker Genes

A marker gene may also be incorporated into the inventive DNA constructs to aid the selection of plant tissues with positive integration of the transgene. “Marker genes” are genes that impart a distinct phenotype to cells expressing the marker gene, and thus, allow such transformed cells to be distinguished from cells that do not have the marker. Many examples of suitable marker genes are known to the art and can be employed in the practice of the invention, such as neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPT II) gene that confers resistance to kanamycin or hygromycin antibiotics which would kill the non-transformed plant tissues containing no NPT II gene (Bevan et al., 1983). Numerous other exemplary marker genes used in the method, in accordance with the present invention are listed in Table 1 of co-pending, commonly owned of PCT/US/0027704, filed Oct. 6, 2000, entitled “Method of Introducing a Plurality of Genes into Plants,” incorporated herein by reference.

Therefore, it will be understood that the following discussion is exemplary rather than exhaustive. In light of the techniques disclosed herein and the general recombinant techniques which are known in the art, the present invention renders possible the introduction of any gene, including marker genes, into a recipient cell to generate a transformed plant.

Optional Sequences in the Expression Cassette

The expression cassette containing DNA sequences in accordance with the present invention can also optionally contain other DNA sequences. Transcription enhancers or duplications of enhancers can be used to increase expression from a particular promoter. One may wish to obtain novel tissue-specific promoter sequences for use in accordance with the present invention. To achieve this, one may first isolate cDNA clones from the tissue concerned and identify those clones which are expressed specifically in that tissue, for example, using Northern blotting. Ideally, one would like to identify a gene that is not present in a high copy number, but which gene product is relatively abundant in specific tissues. The promoter and control elements of corresponding genomic clones may then be localized using the techniques of molecular biology known to those of skill in the art.

Expression of some genes in transgenic plants will occur only under specified conditions. It is known that a large number of genes exist that respond to the environment. In some embodiments of the present invention expression of a DNA segment in a transgenic plant will occur only in a certain time period during the development of the plant. Developmental timing is frequently correlated with tissue specific gene expression.

As the DNA sequence inserted between the transcription initiation site and the start of the coding sequence, i.e., the untranslated leader sequence, can influence gene expression, one can also employ a particular leader sequence. Preferred leader sequence include those which comprise sequences selected to direct optimum expression of the attached gene, i.e., to include a preferred consensus leader sequence which can increase or maintain mRNA stability and prevent inappropriate initiation of translation (Joshi, 1987). Such sequences are known to those of skill in the art. Sequences that are derived from genes that are highly expressed in plants will be most preferred.

Additionally, expression cassettes can be constructed and employed to target the gene product of the DNA segment to an intracellular compartment within plant cells or to direct a protein to the extracellular environment. This can generally be achieved by joining a DNA sequence encoding a transit or signal peptide sequence to the coding sequence of the DNA segment. Also, the DNA segment can be directed to a particular organelle, such as the chloroplast rather than to the cytoplasm.

Alternatively, the DNA fragment coding for the transit peptide may be chemically synthesized either wholly or in part from the known sequences of transit peptides such as those listed above. The description of the optional sequences in the expression cassette, is commonly owned, co-pending PCT/US/0027704, filed Oct. 6, 2000, entitled “Method of Introducing a Plurality of Genes into Plants,” incorporated herein by reference.

Transformation

Transformation of cells from plants, e.g., trees, and the subsequent production of transgenic plants using e.g., Agrobacterium-mediated transformation procedures known in the art, and further described herein, is one example of a method for introducing a foreign gene into plants. Although, the method of the invention can be performed by other modes of transformation, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation procedures are cited as examples, herein. For example, transgenic plants may be produced by the following steps: (i) culturing Agrobacterium in low-pH induction medium at low temperature and preconditioning, i.e., coculturing bacteria with wounded tobacco leaf extract in order to induce a high level of expression of the Agrobacterium vir genes whose products are involved in the T-DNA transfer; (ii) coculturing desired plant tissue explants, including zygotic and/or somatic embryo tissues derived from cultured explants, with the incited Agrobacterium; (iii) selecting transformed callus tissue on a medium containing antibiotics; and (iv) converting the embryos into platelets.

Any non-tumorigenic A. tumefaciens strain harboring a disarmed Ti plasmid may be used in the method in accordance with the invention. Any Agrobacterium system may be used. For example, Ti plasmid/binary vector system or a cointegrative vector system with one Ti plasmid may be used. Also, any marker gene or polynucleotide conferring the ability to select transformed cells, callus, embryos or plants and any other gene, such as for example a gene conferring resistance to a disease, or one improving lignin content or structure or cellulose content, may also be used. A person of ordinary skill in the art can determine which markers and genes are used depending on particular needs.

To increase the infectivity of the bacteria, Agrobacterium is cultured in low-pH induction medium, i.e., any bacterium culture media with a pH value adjusted to from 4.5 to 6.0, most preferably about 5.2, and at low temperature such as for example about 19-30° C., preferably about 21-26° C. The conditions of low-pH and low temperature are among the well-defined critical factors for inducing virulence activity in Agrobacterium (e.g., Altmorbe et al., 1989; Fullner et al., 1996; Fullner and Nester, 1996).

The bacteria is preconditioned by coculturing with wounded tobacco leaf extract (prepared according to methods known generally in the art) to induce a high level of expression of the Agrobacterium vir genes. Prior to inoculation of plant somatic embryos, Agrobacterium cells can be treated with a tobacco extract prepared from wounded leaf tissues of tobacco plants grown in vitro. To achieve optimal stimulation of the expression of Agrobacterium vir genes by wound-induced metabolites and other cellular factors, tobacco leaves can be wounded and pre-cultured overnight. Culturing of bacteria in low pH medium and at low temperature can be used to further enhance the bacteria vir gene expression and infectivity. Preconditioning with tobacco extract and the vir genes involved in the T-DNA transfer process are generally known in the art.

Agrobacterium treated as described above is then cocultured with a plant tissue explant, such as for example, zygotic and/or somatic embryo tissue. Non-zygotic (i.e., somatic) or zygotic tissues can be used. Any plant tissue may be used as a source of explants. For example, cotyledons from seeds, young leaf tissue, root tissues, parts of stems including nodal explants, and tissues from primary somatic embryos such as the root axis may be used. Generally, young tissues are a preferred source of explants.

The above-described transformation and regeneration protocol is readily adaptable to other plant species. Other published transformation and regeneration protocols for plant species include Danekar et al., 1987; McGranahan et aL, 1988; McGranahan et al., 1990; Chen, Ph.D. Thesis, 1991; Sullivan et al., 1993; Huang et al., 1991; Wilde et al., 1992; Minocha et al., 1986; Parsons et al., 1986; Fillatti et al., 1987; Pythoud et al., 1987; De Block, 1990; Brasileiro et al., 1991; Brasileiro et al., 1992; Howe et al., 1991; Klopfenstein et al., 1991; Leple et al., 1992; and Nilsson et al., 1992.

Characterization

To confirm the presence of the DNA segment(s) or “transgene(s)” in the regenerated plants, a variety of assays may be performed. Such assays include, for example, “molecular biological” assays well known to those of skill in the art, such as Southern and Northern blotting and PCR; “biochemical” assays, such as detecting the presence of a protein product, e.g., by immunological means (ELISAs and Western blots) or by enzymatic function; plant part assays, such as leaf or root assays; and also, by analyzing the phenotype of the whole regenerated plant.

1. DNA Integration, RNA Expression and Inheritance

Genomic DNA may be isolated from callus cell lines or any plant parts to determine the presence of the DNA segment through the use of techniques well known to those skilled in the art. Note that intact sequences will not always be present, presumably due to rearrangement or deletion of sequences in the cell.

The presence of DNA elements introduced through the methods of this invention may be determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using this technique, discreet fragments of DNA are amplified and detected by gel electrophoresis. This type of analysis permits one to determine whether a DNA segment is present in a stable transformant, but does not prove integration of the introduced DNA segment into the host cell genome. In addition, it is not possible using PCR techniques to determine whether transformants have exogenous genes introduced into different sites in the genome, i.e., whether transformants are of independent origin. It is contemplated that using PCR techniques it would be possible to clone fragments of the host genomic DNA adjacent to an introduced DNA segment.

Positive proof of DNA integration into the host genome and the independent identities of transformants may be determined using the technique of Southern hybridization. Using this technique, specific DNA sequences that were introduced into the host genome and flanking host DNA sequences can be identified. Hence the Southern hybridization pattern of a given transformant serves as an identifying characteristic of that transformant. In addition, it is possible through Southern hybridization to demonstrate the presence of introduced DNA segments in high molecular weight DNA, i.e., confirm that the introduced DNA segment has been integrated into the host cell genome. The technique of Southern hybridization provides information that is obtained using PCR, e.g., the presence of a DNA segment, but also demonstrates integration into the genome and characterizes each individual transformant.

It is contemplated that by using the techniques of dot or slot blot hybridization which are modifications of Southern hybridization techniques, one could obtain the same information that is derived from PCR, e.g., the presence of a DNA segment.

Both PCR and Southern hybridization techniques can be used to demonstrate transmission of a DNA segment to progeny. In most instances the characteristic Southern hybridization pattern for a given transformant will segregate in progeny as one or more Mendelian genes (Spencer et al., 1992; Laursen et al.,1994) indicating stable inheritance of the gene.

Whereas DNA analysis techniques may be conducted using DNA isolated from any part of a plant, RNA may only be expressed in particular cells or tissue types, and hence, it will be necessary to prepare RNA for analysis from these tissues. PCR techniques may also be used for detection and quantitation of RNA produced from introduced DNA segments. In this application of PCR, it is first necessary to reverse transcribe RNA into DNA, using enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, and then through the use of conventional PCR techniques amplify the DNA. In most instances, PCR techniques, while useful, will not demonstrate integrity of the RNA product. Further information about the nature of the RNA product may be obtained by Northern blotting. This technique will demonstrate the presence of an RNA species and give information about the integrity of that RNA. The presence or absence of an RNA species can also be determined using dot or slot blot Northern hybridizations. These techniques are modifications of Northern blotting and demonstrate only the presence or absence of an RNA species.

2. Gene Expression

While Southern blotting and PCR may be used to detect the DNA segment in question, they do not provide information as to whether the DNA segment is being expressed. Expression may be evaluated by specifically identifying the protein products of the introduced DNA segments or evaluating the phenotypic changes brought about by their expression.

Assays for the production and identification of specific proteins may make use of physical-chemical, structural, functional, or other properties of the proteins. Unique physical-chemical or structural properties allow the proteins to be separated and identified by electrophoretic procedures, such as native or denaturing gel electrophoresis or isoelectric focussing, or by chromatographic techniques such as ion exchange or gel exclusion chromatography. The unique structures of individual proteins also offer opportunities for use of specific antibodies to detect their presence in formats such as an ELISA assay. Combinations of approaches may be employed with even greater specificity such as western blotting in which antibodies are used to locate individual gene products that have been separated by electrophoretic techniques. Additional techniques may be employed to absolutely confirm the identity of the product of interest such as evaluation by amino acid sequencing following purification. Although these are among the most commonly employed, other procedures may be additionally used.

Assay procedures may also be used to identify the expression of proteins by their functionality, especially the ability of enzymes to catalyze specific chemical reactions involving specific substrates and products. These reactions may be followed by providing and quantifying the loss of substrates or the generation of products of the reactions by physical or chemical procedures. Examples are as varied as the enzyme to be analyzed and may include assays for PAT enzymatic activity by following production of radiolabelled acetylated phosphinothricin from phosphinothricin.

Very frequently the expression of a gene product is determined by evaluating the phenotypic results of its expression. These assays also may take many forms including but not limited to analyzing changes in the chemical composition, morphology, or physiological properties of the plant. Chemical composition may be altered by expression of DNA segments encoding enzymes or storage proteins which change amino acid composition and may be detected by amino acid analysis, or by enzymes which change starch quantity which may be analyzed by near infrared reflectance spectrometry. Morphological changes may include greater stature or thicker stalks. Most often changes in response of plants or plant parts to imposed treatments are evaluated under carefully controlled conditions termed bioassays.

The invention will be further described by the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Transgenic Aspen

Construction of Binary Vectors

pBKPpt_(4CL) Pt4CL1-a: Aspen 4CL1 xylem specific promoter (PPt_(4CL), 1.1 kb, GenBank AF041051) was prepared and linked to aspen 4CL1 cDNA (Pt4CL1, GenBank AF041049) which was orientated in the antisense direction. Then the cassette containing aspen 4CL1 promoter and antisense aspen 4CL1 cDNA was positioned in a plant transformation binary vector, as shown in FIG. 1. (pBKPpt_(4CL) Pt4CL1-a construct)

pBKPpt_(4cl) PtCAld5H-s: From pBKPpt_(4CL) Pt4CL-a construct, the antisense Pt4CL1 was replaced with PtCAld5H cDNA in a sense orientation, yielding a pBKPpt_(4CL) PtCAld5H-s transformation binary construct, as shown in FIG. 8.

Also, Example 1 of PCT application PCT/US/0027704, filed Oct. 6, 2000, entitled “Method of Introducing a Plurality of Genes into Plants,” incorporated herein by reference, describes a number of other gene constructs for preparing transgenic plants. The plants are transformed with a genes from the phenylpropanoid pathway (i.e., 4CL, AEOMT, CoAOMT, and CAld5H) using an operably linked to either a homologous or a heterologous and either a constitutive or tissue-specific promoter

Incorporation of Binary Vector into Agrobacterium

According to the protocol described in Tsai et al. (1994, Plant Cell Reports, 14:94-97) Agrobacterium C58/pMP90 strain was grown in LB with selection of gentamicin at 28° C. overnight. Cells were harvested by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes at 4° C. The cell pellet was washed with 0.5 volume of ice-cold 20 mM CaCl₂, and centrifuged again. The cells were then resuspended in 0.1 volume of ice-cold 20 mM CaCl₂ in a sample tube. About 1 μg of binary vector DNA was added to 200 μL of the cell suspension and mixed by pipetting. The sample tube was chilled in liquid N₂ for 5 minutes and thawed at 37° C. in a water bath for 5 minutes. One mL of LB medium was added and the mixture was incubated at 28° C. for 3 hours with gentle shaking. Twenty μL of the cells were spread onto a LB plate containing 25 μg/mL gentamicin and 50 μg/mL kanamycin and incubated at 28° C. for 2 days. PCR (amplification conditions, cycling parameters and primers are described below) was used to verify the presence of DNA from the vector in the transformed colonies.

Simultaneous Transformation of Aspen with Multiple Genes Via Engineered Agrobacterium Strains

For simultaneous transformation of multiple genes, pBKPpt_(4cl) Pt4CL-a and pBKPpt_(4cl) PtCal5H Agrobacterium clones were cultured in LB medium at 28° C. overnight separately. The Agrobacterium strains were subcultured individually by a 100-fold dilution into 50 mL of LB (pH 5.4) containing 50 μg/mL kanamycin, 25 μg/mL gentamycin and 20 μM acetosyringone (in DMSO), and grown overnight at 28° C. with shaking. An equal volume of the same density of individually cultured Agrobacterium strains was then mixed. Leaves excised from sterile tobacco plants were cut into pieces with a size of about 5 mm² and the leaf discs were then immersed in the Agrobacterium mixture for 5 minutes.

After removing excess Agrobacterium cells, the treated leaf discs were placed on callus induction medium (WPM:Woody Plant Medium, BA: 6-benzyladenine+2,4-D: 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; Tsai et al. 1994, Plant Cell Reports, 14:94-97) and cultured for 2 days. Then, the pre-cultured leaf discs were rinsed with sterile water several times to remove the Agrobacterium cells and washed in 1 mg/mL claforan and 1 mg/mL ticarcillin with shaking for 3 hours to kill Agrobacterium. After briefly blot-drying, the pre-cultured and washed leaf discs were cultured on callus induction medium containing 50 μg/mL kanamycin and 300 μg/mL claforan for selection of transformed cells. After 2 to 3 subcultures (10 days/subculture), the calli grown on the leaf discs were excised and transferred onto shoot induction medium (WPM+TDZ: N-phenyl-N′-1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl-urea) containing 50 μg/ml kanamycin and 300 μg/ml claforan for regenerating shoots. After shoots were grown to about 0.5 cm high, they excised and planted to rooting media (WPM with kanamycin and claforan). Whole plants about 7 cm high were transplanted into soil and maintained in a greenhouse for subsequent molecular characterization.

Genomic DNA Isolation

Genomic DNA was isolated according to Hu et al. (1998). About 100 mg of young leaves were collected from each plant growing in the greenhouse and ground in liquid N₂ to fine powder for DNA isolation using QIAGEN plant DNA isolation kit (Valencia, Calif.). Specifically, the powdered tissue was added to extract buffer containing 2% hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), 100 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0, 20 mM EDTA, 1.4 M NaCl and 30 mM β-mercaptoethanol at 5 mL/g tissue. The extraction mixture was incubated in a tube at 60° C. for 1 hour with occasional shaking. One volume of chloroform-isoamyl alcohol (24:1) was added and mixed gently. The two phases were separated by centrifugation at 10,000×g for 10 minutes. The aqueous phase was transferred to a new tube and extracted with chloroform in the presence of 1% CTAB and 0.7 M NaCl. The DNA was precipitated by addition of 2/3 volume of isopropanol (−20° C.) and kept at −20° C. for 20 minutes. Following the centrifugation at 10,000×g for 10 minutes, the pelleted DNA was washed with 70% ethanol-10 mM ammonia acetate. Then the pellet was dissolved in 2 mL TE buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl/0.1 mM EDTA, pH 8) and treated with 2 μg RNase A at 37° C. for 20 minutes. The DNA was precipitated by addition of 2 mL of 5 M ammonia acetate and 10 mL of 95% ethanol at −20° C. for 20 minutes. After centrifugation, the pellet was washed with 70% ethanol. After a brief drying, genomic DNA was dissolved in TE buffer.

PCR Verification of Foreign Gene Insertion in Host Plant Genome

PCR was used to verify the integration of the gene constructs in the genome of transgenic plants. Two specific primers were synthesized for each construct and used to PCR-amplify the corresponding construct in genome of transgenic Aspen. For the PBKPPt_(4CL) Pt4CL1-a construct, two specific primers were synthesized that amplify a 4CL cDNA fragment. Pt4CL1 promoter sense primer (5′CAGGAATGCTCTGCACTCTG3′) (SEQ ID NO:11) and Pt4CL1 sense primer (5′ATGAATCCACAAGAATTCAT3′) (SEQ ID NO:12). at the translation start region. Primers for PCR verification of pBKPpt₄ CL PtCald5H-s construct are Pt4CL1 promoter sense primer (5′CAGGAATGCTCTGCACTCTG3′) (SEQ ID NO:13) and PtCald5H antisense primer (5′TTAGAGAGGACAGAGCACACG3′) (SEQ ID NO:14) at translation stop region.

The PCR reaction mixture contained 100 ng genomic DNA of transformed aspen, and 0.2 μM of each primer, 100 μM of each deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate, 1×PCR buffer and 2.5 Units of Taq DNA polymerase (Promega Madison, Wis.) in a total volume of 50 μL. The cycling parameters were as follows: 94° C. for 1 minute, 56° C. for 1 minute (for 4CL and CAld5H or can vary between cDNA templates used) according to different gene checked) and 72° C. for 2 minute, for 40 cycles, with 5 minutes at 72° C. extension. The PCR products were electrophoresized on a 1% agarose gel.

EXAMPLE 2

Preparation of Other Transgenic Plants

It is important to recognize that there is a substantial percentage of sequence homology among the plant genes involved in the lignin biosynthetic pathway, discussed herein. This substantial sequence homology allows the method in accordance with the invention disclosed herein to be applicable to all plants that possess the requisite genes involved in the lignin biosynthetic pathway. To demonstrate the substantial sequence homology among plant genes, the percentage sequence homology is set forth in tabular form, for example, CAld5H genes (Table 1), AldOMT genes (Table 2), CAD genes (Table 3), and 4CL genes (See FIG. 12). Therefore, it is possible to alter lignin monomer composition, increase S/G lignin ratio, and increase cellulose content in all plants by using the method in accordance with the invention, described herein.

TABLE 1 Protein sequence homology (%) of plant Coniferyl Aldehyde 5-hydroxylase (CAld5H) from 1) Aspen; 2) Poplar, AJ010324; 3) Sweetgum, AF139532; 4) Arabidopsis (Ferulic Acid 5-hydroxylase, F5H) 1 2 3 4 1 2 99 3 84 84 4 81 83 83

TABLE 2 Protein sequence homology (%) of plant AldOMTs from 1) Aspen, X62096; 2) Poplar, M73431; 3) Almond, X83217; 4) Strawberry, AF220491; 5) Alfalfa, M63853; 6) Eucalyptus, X74814; 7) Clarkia breweri, AF006009; 8) Sweetgum, AF139533; 9) Arabidopsis, U70424; 10) Tobacco, X74452; 11) Vitis vinifera, AF239740 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1 2 99 3 92 92 4 91 90 94 5 90 90 89 89 6 89 89 89 87 87 7 88 88 89 88 87 90 8 88 87 88 87 86 85 83 9 84 84 85 86 82 82 82 83 10  83 83 83 82 81 82 80 83 77 11  80 80 78 77 78 77 78 80 76 77

TABLE 3 Protein sequence homology (%) of plant CADs from 1) Aspen, AF217957; 2) Cottonwood, Z19568 and 3) Udo, D13991; 4) Tobacco, X62343; 5) Tobacco, X62344; 6) Eucalyptus, AF038561; 7) Eucalyptus, X65631; 8) Lucerne, AF083332; 9) Lucerne, Z19573; 10) Maize, AJ005702; 11) Maize, Y13733; 12) Sugarcane, AJ231135; 13) Radiata pine, U62394; 14) Loblolly pine, Z37992; 15) Loblolly pine, Z37991; 16) Norway spruce, X72675. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 2 97 3 85 84 4 82 82 84 5 80 80 81 94 6 81 81 82 80 78 7 81 80 81 80 78 80 8 79 79 80 80 79 79 79 9 79 80 80 79 78 78 79 99 10  78 77 79 76 74 76 77 73 73 11  78 78 79 77 74 76 76 73 72 99 12  77 76 78 74 73 75 74 73 73 95 96 13  70 71 69 70 70 69 68 67 68 67 68 68 14  69 70 69 69 69 69 68 68 68 67 67 67 99 15  69 70 68 69 69 68 68 67 67 67 67 67 99 95 16  69 69 70 70 69 68 68 68 67 69 69 67 95 95 94

To further demonstrate the versatility of this invention in transferring a variety of foreign genes and the applicability of this invention to plants other than the herbaceous species, different binary vectors were constructed and transferred into aspen (Populus tremuloides) tree. Two binary vectors, each containing a cDNA sequence and a neomycin phosphotransferase (NPT II) cDNA encoding kanamycin resistance, were constructed. Each vector was then individually mobilized into Agrobacterium strain C58 to create two isolated (engineered) Agrobacterium strains. It should be noted that about 50 transgenic tobacco plants were generated by the same technique harboring 4 different sets of foreign genes, as described in the PCT application PCTUS0027704 filed Oct. 6, 2000, entitled “Method of Introducing a Plurality of Genes into Plants,” incorporated herein by reference.

Table 4 summarizes the numerical results from simultaneous manipulating xylem-specific expression of 4CL and CAld5H in transgenic aspen. After DNA constructs were incorporated into plant cells by Agrobacterium mediated transformation, as set forth by the method in accordance with the invention and after PCR confirmation of transgene integration, 14 positive transgenic trees were randomly selected, representing three different trangenic groups, i.e., Groups I, II and III. Group I (plant #21, 22, 23, 25, and 37) consists of those with the integration of only antisense Pt4CL1 cDNA (Table 4). Group II plants (# 32, 84, 93, and 94) harbored only sense PtCAld5H cDNA, whereas Group III plants (#71, 72, 74, and 141) contained both antisense Pt4CL1 and sense PtCAld5H transgenes. These transgenic trees were then further analyzed for their lignin and cellulose contents and lignin S/G ratio (Table 4). It is clear that, when compared with the control, untransformed aspen, transgenic plants (#21, 22, 23, 25, and 37) engineered for the suppression of 4CL gene with antisense Pt4CL1 transgene had drastic reductions in their lignin content, with significant increases in their cellulose content. Transgenic plants (#32, 84, 93, 94, and 108) engineered for the overexpression of CAld5H with sense PtCA1b5H transgene had pronounced increases in their S/G ratio, but their lignin and cellulose contents remained essentially unaffected. When engineered for the simultaneous suppression of 4CL gene and overexpression of CAld5H gene, transgenic plants (#71, 72, 74, and 141) all exhibited low lignin content, high S/G ratio and elevated cellulose quantity. In summary, these results show that multiple genes carried by individual Agrobacterium strains can be integrated simultaneously into the plant genome.

Moreover, it was demonstrated as shown herein below, that transgenic plants with a nearly 30% increase in cellulose content and over 50% lignin quantity reduction, accompanied with a significant augmentation of the S/G ratio, can be easily produced. It is conceivable that more genes can also be efficiently transferred at one time. Only one suitable marker gene is required for this system, although a number of marker genes can also be employed.

TABLE 4 Simultaneous manipulating xylem-specific expression of 4CL and CAld5H in transgenic aspen. Plant # Control 21 22 23 25 37 32 84 93 94 108 71 72 74 141 Gene integrated 4CL-a Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y CAld5H-s Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Lignin content (%) 22.4 16.0 15.3 14.4 13.1 14.9 22.4 21.6 21.1 20.7 19.7 13.2 13.7 12.4 10.7 Lignin S/G ratio 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.2 2.3 2.1 4.8 4.0 5.5 4.9 3.0 3.3 3.6 3.4 2.7 Cellulose content (%) 41.4 43.1 ND ND 47.3 ND 40.0 ND 44.7 ND ND ND 49.2 ND 53.3 ND: not determined

EXAMPLE 3 Production of Commercially Desirable Agronomic Traits in Transformed Plants

The following genetic transformations illustrate the production of commercially desirable agronomic traits in plants.

Gymnosperms

-   -   A. To produce syringyl-enriched lignin in gymnosperm plants,         gymnosperm plants are genetically transformed with SAD, CAld5H,         and AldOMT genes in the sense orientation driven by any         appropriate promoter and via any appropriate genetic         transformation system allows. These three genes can be         transferred into the host plant either simultaneously (in one or         individual constructs) or sequentially (in individual         constructs) in any order.     -   B. To produce decreased lignin content, increased         syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio and increased cellulose         quantity in gymnosperm plants, gymnosperm plants are genetically         transformed with SAD, CAld5H and AldOMT genes in the sense         orientation and 4CL gene in either sense or antisense         orientation driven by any appropriate promoter and via any         appropriate genetic transformation system. These four genes can         be transferred into the host plant either simultaneously (in one         or individual constructs) or sequentially (in individual         constructs) in any order.     -   C. To produce decreased lignin content, increased         syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio and increased cellulose         quantity in gymnosperm plants, gymnosperm plants are genetically         transformed with SAD, CAld5H and AldOMT genes in the sense         orientation and 4CL and CAD genes in either sense or antisense         orientation driven by any appropriate promoter and via any         appropriate genetic transformation system. These five genes can         be transferred into the host plant either simultaneously (in one         or individual constructs) or sequentially (in individual         constructs) in any order.     -   D. To produce increased lignin content in gymnosperm plants,         gymnosperm plants are genetically transformed with 4CL gene in         the sense orientation driven by any appropriate promoter and via         any appropriate genetic transformation system.     -   E. To produce increased lignin content and increased         syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio in gymnosperm plants,         gymnosperm plants are genetically transformed with SAD, CAld5H,         AldOMT, and 4CL genes in the sense orientation driven by any         appropriate promoter and via any appropriate genetic         transformation system. These four genes can be transferred into         the host plant either simultaneously (in one or individual         constructs) or sequentially (in individual constructs) in any         order.     -   F. To produce increased lignin content, increased         syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio in gymnosperm plants,         gymnosperm plants are genetically transformed with SAD, CAld5H,         AldOMT, and 4CL genes in the sense orientation and CAD gene in         the antisense orientation driven by any appropriate promoter and         via any appropriate genetic transformation system. These four         genes can be transferred into the host plant either         simultaneously (in one or individual constructs) or sequentially         (in individual constructs) in any order.         Angiosperms     -   A. To produce increased S/G lignin ratio in angiosperm plants,         angiosperm plants are genetically transformed with either         CAld5H, AldOMT, or SAD genes in sense orientation driven by any         appropriate promoter and via any appropriate genetic         transformation system. These three genes can be transferred into         the host plant either simultaneously (in one or individual         constructs) or sequentially (in individual constructs) in any         order.     -   B. To produce decreased lignin content, increased S/G lignin         ratio and increased cellulose quantity in angiosperm plants,         angiosperm plants are genetically transformed with either SAD,         CAld5H, or AldOMT genes in the sense orientation and 4CL gene in         the sense or antisense orientation driven by any appropriate         promoter and via any appropriate genetic transformation system.         These four genes can be transferred into the host plant either         simultaneously (in one or individual constructs) or sequentially         (in individual constructs) in any order.     -   C. To produce decreased lignin content, increased S/G lignin         ratio and increased cellulose quantity in angiosperm plants,         angiosperm plants are genetically transformed with either SAD,         CAld5H, or AldOMT genes in the sense orientation and 4CL and CAD         genes in the sense or antisense orientation driven by any         appropriate promoter and via any appropriate genetic         transformation system. These five genes can be transferred into         the host plant either simultaneously (in one or individual         constructs) or sequentially (in individual constructs) in any         order.     -   D. To produce increased lignin content in angiosperm plants,         angiosperm plants are genetically transformed with 4CL gene in         the sense orientation driven by any appropriate promoter and via         any appropriate genetic transformation system.     -   E. To produce increased lignin content and increased S/G ratio         in angiosperm plants, angiosperm plants are genetically         transformed with 4CL in the sense orientation and either SAD,         CAld5H, or AldOMT genes also in the sense orientation driven by         any appropriate promoter and via any appropriate genetic         transformation system. These four genes can be transferred into         the host plant either simultaneously (in one or individual         constructs) or sequentially (in individual constructs) in any         order.     -   F. To produce increased lignin content and increased S/G ratio         in angiosperm plants, angiosperm plants are genetically         transformed with 4CL in the sense orientation and either SAD,         CAld5H, or AldOMT genes also in the sense orientation and CAD in         the antisense orientation driven by any appropriate promoter and         via any appropriate genetic transformation system. These four         genes can be transferred into the host plant either         simultaneously (in one or individual constructs) or sequentially         (in individual constructs) in any order.

All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference. While in the foregoing specification, this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details herein may be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention be solely limited by the broadest interpretation that can be accorded the appended claims.

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1. A method of producing a transgenic plant comprising: (a) introducing into a plant cell at least one polynucleotide sequence encoding at least two of 4CL antisense RNA, aspen CAld5H, aspen AldOMT and SEQ ID NO:2; and (b) regenerating the transformed cell to produce a transgenic plant.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises a sequence encoding 4CL antisense RNA and sequences encoding CAld5H, AldOMT, and SEQ ID NO:2.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the transgenic plant comprises decreased lignin content, increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio, or increased cellulose content compared to a non-transformed plant.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the plant is an angiosperm or a gymnosperm.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the lignin content of the transgenic plant is decreased relative to the lignin content of a non-transformed plant.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the transgenic plant comprises an increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio relative to a non-transformed plant.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the transgenic plant comprises increased cellulose content relative to a non-transformed plant.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the plant is an angiosperm.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the angiosperm is a Populus tremuloides.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the plant is a gymnosperm.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide comprises 4CL in an antisense orientation; and wherein the transgenic plant comprises a characteristic selected from the group consisting of altered lignin content, increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio, altered cellulose content and combinations thereof compared to a non-transformed control plant.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the transgenic plant comprises decreased lignin content.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the transgenic plant comprises increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein the transgenic plant comprises increased cellulose content.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein the plant is an angiosperm.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the angiosperm is a Populus tremuloides.
 17. The method of claim 11 wherein the plant is a gymnosperm.
 18. The method of claim 1 wherein each polynucleotide coding sequence is operably linked to a promoter sequence functional in the plant and a termination sequence; and wherein the plant comprises a characteristic selected from the group consisting of altered lignin content, increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio, altered cellulose content, altered agronomic traits, and combinations thereof compared to a control plant that is not transformed with the polynucleotide sequence.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the promoter is tissue-specific.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein the plant is an angiosperm.
 21. The method of claim 20 wherein the angiosperm is a Populus tremuloides.
 22. The method of claim 18 wherein the plant is a gymnosperm.
 23. The method of claim 18 wherein the plant comprises an altered agronomic trait selected from the group consisting of growth, wood quality, stress resistance, sterility, grain yield or nutritional value.
 24. The method of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide sequence encodes 4CL antisense RNA and CAld5H.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the transgenic plant comprises decreased lignin content, increased syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) lignin ratio, or increased cellulose content compared to a non-transformed plant.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the CAld5H comprises SEQ ID NO:4.
 27. The method of claim 1, wherein the CAld5H comprises SEQ ID NO:4.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:3.
 29. The method of claim 1, wherein the AldOMT comprises SEQ ID NO:6.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:5. 